Build a Lightweight Dev Rig for Running Windows Docker Containers

If you’ve wanted to try running Docker containers natively on Windows Server? Elton Stoneman has a guide to not just get you started, but to walk you all the way through the process. After going through this, you should be able to easily test out a Windows Server 2016 VM to get started with Docker, and only use about 30GB of storage and 4GB of RAM. Once you’re done, you should be able to connect to the VM remote, have access to both Microsoft Docker images, and have snapshots all setup to easily replicate this process.

If you’re looking for a painless guide to get started with Docker on Windows Server, this is for you.

Elton Stoneman comments:

You can only run Docker containers natively on Windows Server 2016. Windows 10 lets you run containers with elevated isolation in Hyper-V mode, but there are some restrictions around that – and you need to be on the fast insider track to get the latest bits. That isn’t a great idea on your everyday dev machine. Instead you can take advantage of the client-server nature of Docker to run containers in a headless Windows Server VM on your dev box.

About Rich Stroffolino

Rich has been a tech enthusiast since he first used the speech simulator on a Magnavox Odyssey². Current areas of interest include ZFS, the false hopes of memristors, and the oral history of Transmeta.